Latvian forward Rudolfs Balcers has been ruled out indefinitely due to injury in what is a sorry blow for the Ottawa Senators organisation.
22-year-old Balcers had looked good in preseason action with the Senators and was looking to build on a season that saw him play an extensive period in the NHL.
In 36 regular-season games with the Senators, Balcers earned five goals and 14 total points – following on from a strong showing in the AHL with the Belleville Senators, in which he earned 17 goals and 31 total points in 43 games.